Man charged with attempted murder of girl in Best Buy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (USA Today) -- A Florida man has been charged with attempted murder stemming from the beating of a 9-year-old girl in a Best Buy here, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

James Tadros, 29, also is charged with attempted murder, false imprisonment and criminal mischief of less than $1,000 or interruption of business or utilities.

A witness heard screams coming from the bathroom Friday and told officers she found Tadros beating the girl, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff's office report. The witness called Best Buy employees for assistance.

The witness told officers she heard screaming and crying coming from the restroom and called for help from store employees when she went inside to investigate. A store employee looked under the stall and reported seeing Tadros holding the young girl upside down with the child's head in the toilet.

When Tadros let the girl go, the report says the girl crawled under the door to another stall and another employee helped her out of the bathroom. Store employees said they then held Tadros in the restroom until authorities arrived, the release detailed.

The victim told store employees that she did not know Tadros. At a press conference, Sgt. Jay Farhat said Tadros lured the girl into the bathroom before kicking and punching her and later placing a plastic bag over her head.

The girl was transported to University of Florida Health Jacksonville to receive treatment for signs of suffocation, attempted drowning and hemosinus, which is a fracture of the frontal sinus. The girl was listed in serious condition.

The suspect allegedly vandalized the police interview room while waiting for officers, and the report says officers then put Tadros in a four-point harness and moved him to another room.